A.D.D.

- Missing Out on Learning

Study requires a student's undivided attention. It is impossible to acquire a complex skill or
absorb information about a subject in class unless one learns to concentrate without undue

stress for long periods of time. Students with Attention Deficit Disorder
(A.D.D.) are particularly deficient in this respect for reasons which are now known to be
microbiological and not behavioral, as was once believed. Of course, being unable to
concentrate, and incapable of pleasing the teacher and oneself in the process, quickly leads to
despondence and low self-esteem. This will naturally induce behavioral problems. It is estimated
that 3 - 5 % of all children suffer from Attention Deficit Disorder. There are three main types of
Attention Deficit Disorder: A.D.D. without Hyperactivity, A.D.D. with Hyperactivity (A.D.H.D.), and
Undifferentiated A.D.D.

The characteristics of a person with A.D.D. are as follows:

has difficulty paying attention
does not appear to listen
is unable to carry out given instructions
avoids or dislikes tasks which require sustained mental effort
has difficulty with organization
is easily distracted
often loses things
is forgetful in daily activities

Children with A.D.H.D. also exhibit excessive and inappropriate physical activity, such as
constant fidgeting and running about the room. This boisterousness often interferes with the
educational development of others. Undifferentiated A.D.D. sufferers exhibit some, but not all, of
the symptoms of each category.

It is important to base remedial action on an accurate diagnosis. Since A.D.D. is a physiological

disorder caused by some structural or chemically-based neurotransmitter problem in the nervous
system, it responds especially well to certain psycho stimulant drugs, such as Ritalin. In use
since 1953, the drug enhances the ability to structure and complete a thought without being
overwhelmed by non-related and distracting thought processes.

Psycho stimulants are the most widely used medications for persons with A.D.D. and A.D.H.D.
Recent findings have validated the use of stimulant medications, which work in about 70 - 80% of
A.H.D.D. children and adults (Wilens and Biederman, 1997). In fact, up to 90% of destructibility in
A.D.D. sufferers can be removed by medication. The specific dose of medicine varies for each
child, but such drugs are not without side effects, which include reduction in appetite, loss of
weight, and problems with falling asleep.

Not all students who are inattentive in class have Attention Deficit Disorder. Many are simply
unwilling to commit themselves to the task at hand. Others might have a specific learning
disability (S.L.D.). However, those with A.D.D. have difficulty performing in school not usually
because they have trouble learning 1 , but because of poor organization, inattention, compulsion
and impulsiveness. This is brought about by an incompletely understood phenomenon, in which
the individual is, perhaps, best described as 'tuning out' for short to long periods of time. The
effect is analogous to the switching of channels on a television set. The difference is that an
A.D.D. sufferer is not 'in charge of the remote control'. The child with A.D.D. is unavailable to
learn - something else has involuntarily captured his or her whole attention.

It is commonly thought that A.D.D. only affects children, and that they grow out of the condition
once they reach adolescence. It is now known that this is often not the case. Left undiagnosed or
untreated, children with all forms of A.D.D. risk a lifetime of failure to relate effectively to others at
home, school, college and at work. This brings significant emotional disturbances into play, and
is very likely to negatively affect self-esteem. Fortunately, early identification of the problem,
together with appropriate treatment, makes it possible for many victims to overcome the
substantial obstacles that A.D.D. places in the way of successful learning.

1 approximately 15% of A.D.H.D. children do, however, have learning disabilities

Alternative Treatments for A.D.D. Evaluation

expensive
trials flawed - (sample groups small, no control
EEG Biofeedback
groups)
Dietary intervention (removal of food additives -preservatives,
ineffective
colorings etc.)
numerous studies disprove link.
Sugar reduction (in A.D.H.D.)
slightly effective (but only for a small percentage
Correction of (supposed) inner-ear disturbance
of children)
Correction of (supposed) yeast infection (Candida albicans)
undocumented, unscientific studies
Vitamin/mineral regimen for (supposed) genetic abnormality
inconsistent with current theory
Body manipulations for (supposed) misalignment of two
lack of evidence
bones in the skull
inconsistent with current theory
lack of evidence
theory disproved in the 1970s
lack of evidence
inconsistent with current theory
Figure 1. Evaluations of Controversial Treatments for A.D.D.

Questions 27-29
You are advised to spend about 5 minutes on Questions 27-29.

Refer to Reading Passage 13 "A.D.D. - Missing Out On Learning", and decide which of
the answers best completes the following sentences. Write your answers in boxes 27 - 29 on
your Answer Sheet. The first one has been done for you as an example.

Example: The number of main types of A.D.D. is:

a) 1
b) 2
c) 3
d) 4

Q. 27. Attention Deficit Disorder:

a) is a cause of behavioural problems
b) is very common in children
c) has difficulty paying attention
d) none of the above

Q. 28. Wilens and Biederman have shown that:

a) stimulant medications are useful
b) psychostimulants do not always work
c) hyperactive persons respond well to psychostimulants
d) all of the above

Q. 29. Children with A.D.D.:

a) have a specific learning disability
b) should not be given medication as a treatment
c) may be slightly affected by sugar intake
d) usually improve once they become teenagers

Questions 30-37
You are advised to spend about 10 minutes on Questions 30 - 37.
The following is a summary of Reading Passage 13.

Complete each gap in the text by choosing 30 - 37 on your Answer Sheet.

Write your answers in boxes. Note that there are more choices in the box than gaps.
You will not need to use all the choices given, but you may use a word, or phrase more than
once.
Attention Deficit Disorder is a neurobiological problem that affects 3 - 5% of all .....(Ex:). ......
Symptoms include inattentiveness and having difficulty getting organized , as well as easily
becoming distracted. Sometimes, A.D.D. is accompanied by hyperactivity In these cases, the
sufferer exhibits excessive physical activity. Psychostimulant drugs can be given to A.D.D.
sufferers to assist them with the completion of desired thought processes, although they might
cause side effects Current theory states that medication is the only remedical action that has a
sound scientific basis. This action should only be taken after an accurate diagnosis is made.
Children with A.D.D. do not necessarily have trouble learning; their problem is that they
involuntarily switch their attention elsewhere. It is not only children that are affected by this
condition. Failure to treat A.D.D. can lead to lifelong emotional and behavioral problems. Early
diagnosis and treatment, however, are the key to successfully overcoming learning difficulties
associated with A.D.D.

side effects successfully completion adults

medicine switch drug Ritalin

hyperactivity organized losing weight A.D.H.D.

children attention remedial action paying

Questions 38 - 40
You are advised to spend about 5 minutes on Questions 38 - 40.
Refer to Reading Passage 13, and decide which of the following pieces of advice is best suited
for child listed in the table below.

Write your answers in boxes 38 - 40 on your Answer Sheet.

ADVICE:
A current treatment ineffective - suggest increased dosage of Ritalin.
B supplement diet with large amounts of vitamins and minerals.
C probably not suffering from A.D.D. - suggest behavioral counseling.
D bone manipulation to realign bones in the skull.
E EEG Biofeedback to self-regulate the child's behavior.
F daily dose of Ritalin in place of expensive unproven treatment.

CHILD 1 CHILD 2 CHILD 3

Problems does not listen to given
instructions
loses interest easily
cannot complete tasks
quiet and withdrawn
often forgets to do excessively active
homework unable to pay attention
sleeps in class dislikes mental effort
disturbs other students disturbs other students

Current EEG Feedback none diet contains no food additiv

Treatment low dose of Ritalin

Best Advice (38)F. (39)A (40)C..